NOV 01 -- ORLANDO – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the North Miami Beach Police Department (NMBPD) were recognized last week by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) during their annual conference held in Orlando. Operation Titan was named runner-up for the IACP’s “Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigations”.

The joint, multi-jurisdiction, international operation was recognized for innovation in the development of its investigative techniques utilized to identify and arrest large scale international drug traffickers and to also establish the organization’s ties to known terrorist groups. To date, Operation Titan has resulted in over 100 arrests, the seizure of over $42 million in assets, 3,700 kilograms of cocaine, and 10 kilograms of heroin. Four of the defendants were on the U.S. Attorney General’s list of international “drug kingpins” known as Consolidated Priority Organization Targets.

DEA Miami Field Division (MFD) Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Mark R. Trouville stated “Operation Titan is the epitome of DEA’s partnership with our local counterparts. The results listed above are a result of our close friendship with the North Miami Beach Police Department and all of the other state, local, and international agencies we worked with in this case.”

NMBPD Chief Rafael echoed the sentiments stating “NMBPD and DEA have an excellent relationship and partnership in investigating and eradicating the narcotics problem to enhance our overall quality of life.”